Establishment of Class C Airspace and Removal of Class D Airspace; Wilmington International Airport, NC
Key claim: The FAA proposes to establish Class C airspace and remove Class D airspace (and the non-regulatory TRSA) at Wilmington International Airport, NC, to improve air traffic management and reduce midair-collision risk.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration) This action proposes to establish Class C airspace and remove Class D airspace at Wilmington International Airport (ILM), NC. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the efficient management of air traffic operations and reduce the potential for midair collision in the Wilmington, NC, terminal area. The Class C airspace would replace the existing Class D airspace at ILM. In addition, the non-regulatory Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) would be removed.
Why this matters
Reclassifying Wilmington’s airspace from Class D to Class C adds two-way radio contact and radar separation requirements for all aircraft in the inner core, which is a measurable safety upgrade at a growing commercial airport. Removing the non-regulatory TRSA in favor of a regulatory Class C structure standardizes controller and pilot expectations. The change is routine in form but reflects FAA’s incremental approach to matching airspace class to traffic volume and midair-collision risk.